It sounds too good to be true. But science has done a favor for those who enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink. (I’ll raise a glass to that myself!)
A few alcoholic beverages every week can reduce the chances of getting painful rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, having two to four beers each week may decrease the odds for women by more than 30 percent.
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The “Nurses’ Health Study” (NHS) and the “Nurses’ Health Study II,” published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases examined the link between alcohol consumption and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers looked at 121,701 female registered nurses, beginning in 1989, to assess alcohol and food consumption every four years. They identified cases of rheumatoid arthritis using medical records and what’s called a “connective tissue disease-screening” questionnaire.
Relax with a beer (or two)
Researchers found that anyone who moderately drank alcohol lowered their risk of rheumatoid arthritis by roughly 21 percent. Better yet, women who drank beer two to four times every week decreased their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by 31 percent, compared to women who drank no beer at all. Researchers concluded that there is a modest association between long-term, moderate alcohol consumption and the lowered risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Rheumatoid arthritis starts early for women
This painful form of arthritis typically affects more women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis closely linked to the dysfunction of the immune system. It causes inflammation that can cause other issues within the joints and organs, especially the heart. Bad news all around!
Given the numbers, you might want to find your favorite brew sooner than later. More than 1.5 million Americans have the disease, says the Arthritis Foundation; it usually begins between age 20 and 30 in women, and strikes a bit later for men.
Symptoms vary from person to person and can change on a daily basis. They include pain and fatigue, as well as warm, swollen, reddish joints. Long periods of joint stiffness are common in the morning, while inflammation in the smaller joints, such as those in the hand and wrist, can also occur.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But early diagnosis of the disease and prompt treatment is crucial to preventing joint and organ damage. Various medications can also help lower inflammation and slow the progression.
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Still, the information contained in the alcohol study by the NHS may be particularly important to someone with a family history of the disease. It echoed previous studies that showed a connection between alcohol and reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis over time.
But that doesn’t mean that one necessarily leads to the other, Dr. Len Horovitz, of New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital says, “Mechanism of action is very complex.” He says there are several contributing factors and the patient’s immune system needs to be taken into account when you’re considering prevention with alcohol.
Raise a glass in moderation, of course
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While having the occasional drink may be a good idea when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, excessive drinking is not healthy. It’s also important to note that alcohol doesn’t go well with certain rheumatoid arthritis drugs because of its effect on the liver. So those with rheumatoid arthritis should consult their doctor before they order another beer at the bar.
In the meantime, as scientists look to back up the NHS findings, some peace of mind could come from a bit of moderate alcohol consumption. Talk to your doctor if you are uncertain about the implications of drinking, even moderately.
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